Photographer's Note

CHIHULY #3

The present photo is a sequel to STUDIES IN COLORS #1 and STUDIES IN COLORS #2 from an exhibition of Dale Chihuli's Glass creations. The camera I had used in the former photo was a compact Nikon Coolpix S9300. For the latter photo, as well as in the present the camera is a more elaborate Nikon D200.

On the negative side, the slow shutter speed and lack of a tripod made it difficult to capture a sharp image. On the positive, what makes photo is first, the presence of visitors seen in silhouette; and second, the presence of the blurred bluish light seen on the left. I resisted the simple solution of cropping or darkening that area. A disquieting factor elevates a good piece of art to a much higher level. Whether I succeeded is open to debate. Two years ago I had posted a photo, View from the Gazebo, where I had also left an unsettling factor in the frame.

One of my favorite painters, Johannes Vermeer, was the master of injecting unsettling effects. At the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is the 17th century Dutch Master's "A Woman holding a Balance." It was Vermeer's genius in including the gilded (double) frame, just to the right of the woman. The eye inadvertently oscillates between the frame and the woman. In the "Mona Lisa", Leonardo painted an optical illusion in the mouth, and he made the horizon line uneven behind his subject. The result is to make the viewer go back and forth inadvertently, creating a hypnotic effect. I would be grateful to hear your preference. Do you prefer this scene with our without the ghostly blue in the doorway?

From my earlier note about the artist, Dale Chihuly, his legion of fans are familiar with the beautiful colors that he achieves in his blown glass creations. The collaboration of painters and glass blowers is not a new phenomenon. In the early 16th century, the Venetian Master Titziano (Titian) had collaborated with the glassblowers on the Island of Murano near Venice to learn about their secrets in achieving certain colors, especially the reds. Subsequently, Raphael hired away one of Titian’s assistants and his colors became more vibrant, especially the reds. Three-hundred and fifty years later, the French Impressionists were able to get their hands on oxides produced in exceedingly hot furnaces used in the Industrial Revolution. Cross fertilization of disciplines frequently leads to immense creativity.

In our photography we can all learn from the great painters. They had much more time than we do in composing their works.

Hello Bulent,
rally today we are neighborhoods with the uploading time of mine shot to was 08:23 am.So yours must uploaded with a distance of seven hours.
Nice the presentation with the two women to watch this glass creations.

This is an interesting study. The ladies against the twisting lights and the shadowy figure leaning against the wall, produce an exciting storyline!
The distant figure does not spoil the shot, for me, he adds mystery and depth.

However, I'm sorry to be too critical but, for me, the ladies don't quite work. They are a little indistinct to immediately produce the mood. In PS if you use the automatic smart fix, it gives them just enough detail to excite the scenario. Alternatively, altering the brightness and contrast could make them into complete silhouettes, again hitting the viewer directly.

The Chihuly piece here is very similar to one I saw at the Bill Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas, Bulent. Really amazing skill.

As you say, a tough shot in tough light, but I think you made the most of it here, and the key elements you describe are still powerful; the silhouettes against the well-lit sculpture, and the glow of the blue doorway at left. Wonderful note as well, connecting Vermeer to Chihuly through photography! Thanks.

Hola Bulent
You are quite right, my first view was at the silhouette at the left, plenty of mysterious it seems, then the art work, fully made of glass?
Will watch Number 1 and 2
But all the composition is well balanced between dark and light
Warm regards
Maria

The two ladies seem to be amazed by the work of Chihuli, Bulent, aren't we all?
They just a bit obsecuring the art-piece, but still nough left for us to see, their silhouettes added a nice dimension over the space on image.
Love the series, cheers.
Ike

I missed almost these picture about light and colours.
I wrote in previous comment, light is very subjective, the same of colours.
It's also very difficult for take this type of pictures.
But I appreciate your nice sharpness and the model of the lights.
Sharpness and presentation are superb.
Excellent composition, pleasant colours. TFS.

Hi Bullent,
This one and photot No 1 did not make the medal ranking. Why, the nice artistic arrangement is disturbed by visitors. It looks like another beautiful artwork, but the silhouettes are disturbing me. Sorry for my honest comment. But on other side the photo is excellent in its own way.
Greetings
Miro